Jack Butland turned down a move to Chelsea when he joined Stoke City from Birmingham back in 2013.

But the Blues have apparently maintained their strong interest in the England number one heir apparent, who is hoping to be back in training this week after breaking a finger while on international duty.

Simon Jones writes in today’s Mail on Sunday that the 24-year-old is being lined up in case they lose a battle to keep Thibaud Courtois, who is out of contract in 2019 and reportedly wanted by Real Madrid and Paris St Germain.

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The aftermath of Stoke's defeat at Crystal Palace

It is described as a contingency plan at this stage and Butland would cost a lot more than the £8m that took Asmir Begovic from the Potteries to West London back in 2015. In fact, Roman Abramovich would have to go a long way past the £30m British record Everton could end up forking out for Jordan Pickford from Sunderland.

“Butland is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and, at 24, has plenty of time to improve,” writes Jones. “He is tipped to establish himself as England’s number one ahead of Joe Hart for the World Cup in Russia … and Stoke would not be willing sellers.”